So begins an article in the Portland Press Herald about state Republican efforts to scale back a law that requires 10% of Maine’s electricity to come from renewable energy sources by 2017.
Supporters (read: Republicans) say it will lower Maine’s energy costs by requiring only 4% of Maine’s electric costs to come from renewable energy sources. Opponents say it represents a shift from Maine’s energy policy the would be harmful to investments in wind, tidal, and biomass energy projects in Maine.
The problem for the opponents, as I see it, is that every time “a partisan battle is emerging” on a major issue — like Maine’s recently passed GOP-backed insurance law — the opponents are likely to lose. After all, like it or not, we now have a Republican governor and Republican majorities in the Maine legislature.
Speaking of the new Maine insurance law — I’m not sure I understand where the savings are suppose to come from. As indicated in the Press Herald, the law imposes a $4 per person per month tax on almost every policy holder in the state. That money is suppose to go to help pay for people with high medical costs.
The problem is that the law changes what insurance companies can charge policy holders. According to the article:
Starting July 1, 2020, some people could pay three times as much for their policies as other people, because of their age. By 2014, the ratio will be 5 to 1. Current law limits the ratio to 1.5 to 1. In 2014, the federal Affordable Care Act will set the ratio at 3 to 1.
Is there any doubt that insurance companies will raise rates for these older Mainers if the law allows them to do so? Maine is a state with a huge elderly population. This law would appear to allow insurance companies to charge astronomically high rates to those least able to afford it.
The Governor says this new law will lower premiums for many Maine families. I wonder.
I read with great interest. I like!
Posted by: jeans outlet | June 07, 2020 at 11:56 PM
The government should protect the rights and respects the word of its people. But it seems that it is not happening as what as the law says with regard to the health care bill. If by 2017, 10% of Maine's population is electricity comes from renewable resources then maybe they're doing their job. But for now they have a lot to prove
Posted by: MyDelawareLawyer.com | June 09, 2020 at 12:26 PM